Illuminated figure toy

ABSTRACT

An illuminated toy figure having simulated human features with a battery powered light unit in the interior thereof. The light unit includes a movable contact element and a fixed contact element and a movable member for holding the movable contact element away from the fixed element when the figure is in a reclining position but permitting the circuit to close with the two contact elements in engagement when the figure is in an upright position. The movable contact element has a magnetically attracted portion and the figure is provided with a magnetic element, which when placed near the movable contact, draws it out of engagement with the fixed contact to open the electrical circuit, even when a figure is in an upright position.

United States Patent [151 ,691,680

Glass et a1. Sept. 19, 1972 [54] ILLUMINATED FIGURE TOY [72] Inventors: Marvin 1. Glass; Allison W. Katz- Primary ExaminerTTLouls Mancene man, both of Chicago; Burton C. Meyer, Downers Grove, all of 111.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates, a partnership [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.1 214,081

[52] US. Cl. ..46/228, 46/170, 46/239 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 3/26 [58] Field of Search ..46/228, 239, 135, 170

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,877,940 9/1932 Morgenstern et a1 ..46/228 2,088,166 1 1/1937 Rubenstein ..46/228 2,310,037 2/1943 Reno ..46/228 3,232,004 2/1966 Felsher ..46/228 X Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney-James F. Cofiee et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT An illuminated toy figure having simulated human features with a battery powered light unit in the interior thereof. The light unit includes a movable contact element and a fixed contact element and a movable member for holding the movable contact element away from the fixed element when the figure is in a reclining position but permitting the circuit to close with the two contact elements in engagement when the figure is in an upright position. The movable contact element has a magnetically attracted portion and the figure is provided with a magnetic element, which when placed near the movable contact, draws it out of engagement with the fixed contact to open the electrical circuit, even when a figure is in an upright position.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PA'TENTEDSEP 19 m2 SHEET 1 0F 2 BY i 6mg ATTORNEYS ILLUMINATED FIGURE TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to illuminated toy figures.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art body to close a contact.

It is the object of this invention to provide an illuminated toy figure which is operable depending upon the position the figure is situated, and further may be rendered inoperative from the exterior of the toy, even when positioned in an operative position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of an improved illuminated toy figure.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention includes a hollow body supporting a head with simulated facial features, having light transmitting portions thereon, preferably in the eyes. The body supports a battery powered light unit having fixed and movable contact elements. The movable contact element is positioned within a chamber having a rolla ble member therein which is in engagement with an inclined track. The relative orientation of the track, the rollable member and the movable contact is such that when the doll is placed so that it is prone or supine the rollable element holds the movable contact away from the fixed contact. When the doll is placed uprightly, the rollable member moves down the inclined ramp and away from the movable contact member so as to permit the movable contact member to engage the fixed contact member. The movable contact member further is provided with a magnetically attractable portion and the doll is provided with a magnetic wand-like element, which, when placed near the movable contact member to the exterior of the doll, moves the movable contact member away from the fixed contact member to open the circuit, even when the doll is in the upright position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the doll or illuminated figure of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section view through the doll of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the battery powered light unit utilized in the doll of this invention;

FIG. 5 is another view of the unit shown in FIG. 4 with portions broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the light unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a composite perspective view of the components of the light unit utilized with the doll of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial section view of a modified form of a light unit utilized with this invention;

FIG. 9 is another view of the alternate light unit form of this invention illustrated in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the light unit utilized in the illuminated figure of this invention.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The novelty doll 10 or illuminated figure of this invention includes a doll body having a torso I2 with a head 14 positioned thereon. The head 14 has simulated human characteristics, including eyes 16, nose 18, mouth 20, and simulated ears 22. The head further includes simulated strands of hair 24. Preferably, the eyes 16 are light transmitting, either transparent or translucent, to let light shine therethrough.

The doll body further includes a pair of arms 26 and 28 having flanged ends 34 and 36 which extend through openings 30 and 32 to articulate the arms for relative movement to the torso 12. The doll body also includes legs 38 and 40 which extend through openings 42 and 44 of the torso and, particularly, the flanged ends 46 and 48 thereof, to also articulate the legs for limited movement relative to the doll torso 12.

The interior of the doll is provided with a light unit 50. Light unit 50 includes a bracket 52 which is generally U-shaped in configuration and has a foot portion 520 on the exterior thereof, near the bottom. Bracket 52 supports a source of power, here shown in the form of a battery 54, for illuminating the light bulb 56. Light bulb 56 is connected to one end of contact 58, particularly to the socket 60, and is in engagement with battery 54, through an opening 60a in the top of bracket 52. Contact 58 also has a lateral extension or leg 58a at the lower end thereof or end opposite the light bulb 56.

The light unit 50 further includes a movable contact arm 62 having a lower end 62a which overlies the leg 58a of contact 58 and is positioned between an overlying contact member 64 and the foot 52a of the bracket 52. Contact member 64 has an extension 66 which extends under the battery 54 within the interior of the bracket 52 and is in contact therewith. The arm 62 has an offset upper end 68 having a socket 70 supported thereon. Socket 70 contains a metallic insert 72.

The contact elements are maintained in an enclosure 74 connected to the bracket 52. Enclosure 74 includes a first, or ramp, portion 76 and a second portion 78.

. The ramp portion 76 has an inclined rear wall 80 for rollably supporting a movable restraining element or ball 82.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, when the doll I0 is configured so that it is lying on its back the rear wall will be inclined toward the doll head, so that the ball 82 will be rolled down the inclined ramp towards the end of the light unit to which the light bulb 56 is connected occupying a first or restraining position. In so doing, the ball 82 will bear against the underside of movable contact element 62, keeping the end 62a out of engagement with legs 58a of contact strip 58. However, when the doll is moved so that it is generally vertically oriented, the ball will move, under the influence of gravity, down the inclined ramp to the dotted line position in FIGS. 4 and 5 at the bottom of the chamber 74.

In so doing, the ball 82 will no longer exert influence with respect to the arm 62. This will permit the arm to engage the leg 58a of contact strip 58 and close the circuit therethrough to deliver power to the light 56 and illuminate the same. It is intended that the arm 62 will be free to float relative to the contact strip 58 so that the circuit will be intermittently opened and closed when the ball is at the bottom of the enclosure 74, thereby producing a blinking effect as the intermittently activated light bulb 56 shines through eyes 16. Arm 62 normally engages contact 64 and is spaced from contact 58 when the ball 82 is in the first position. ln effect, arm 62 serves as a movable component of contact 64.

The illuminated figure toy of this invention further includes a wand-like element 84 having a magnet 86 at one end thereof. In use, it is intended that even when the doll is upright and the contact arm 62 is free to engage with contact 58 and member 64 to illuminate the bulb 56, the magnetic end 86 of wand 84 may be placed adjacent the doll, particularly close to the metallic insert 72 in socket 70. This will cause the arm 62 to be drawn away from the contact 58, thereby terminating the illumination of the bulb 56 as long as the wand 84 is held adjacent to the doll. When the wand is removed, the contact 62 is free to engage contacts 58 and 64 in an intermittent fashion.

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a modified form of the I circuitry for illuminating bulb 56. Again, the circuitry includes a battery 54, bulb 56, an enclosure 100 having a rollable member 82 therein. The enclosure 100 is a parallelogram type structure having top and bottom walls 102 and 104, side walls 102a and 104a, and end walls 106 and 108. The wall 104 is intended to be downwardly inclined toward the doll head when the doll is placed on its back so that ball 82 will roll towards wall 108. Enclosure 100 is connected to battery holder 109 within which it is intended the battery 54 will be held.

A contact member 110 extends through opening 114 in wall 106 to the interior of enclosure 100. Contact member 110 is connected by wire 111 with contact 112 which engages the positive end of battery 54. Another leaf-like contact 116 is positioned within enclosure 100, having a movable component or one end 116a normally spaced away from contact 110 and another end 1l6b which engages the negative end of battery 54. A lead wire 120 extends from the negative end 123 of battery 54 to connection at 122 on circuit board 124. Wire 126 runs from connection at 128 with the circuit board 124 to the light bulb 56, and wire '130 connects end 1161: with connection 132 of the circuit board. Thus, when the doll is placed uprightly, the ball 82 will roll toward wall 106, pressing contact 116 into engagement with contact 1 10 and closing the circuit with bulb 56 through circuit board 124.

It is intended that the circuitry 134 of board 124 could be utilized to establish an intermittent lightning condition when the circuit through contacts 116 and 110 is closed. In the illustrated embodiment, this is accomplished by the provision of resistors 136 and 138 in a line 139 separated by a condensor 140 and connected with wires and 126 at 132 and 128, respectively. Tubes 142 and 144 are interposed between the resistors and lead wires 130 and 120.

Thus, it can be seen that the doll of this invention provides a unique arrangement for controlling the lighting of the dolls eyes. When the doll is rested on its back, the circuit for the light cannot be activated. When the doll is placed uprightly, the circuit is in a condition to light the bulb intermittently. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the circuit may be opened even when the doll is upright by placing the wand 84 with the magnetic end 86 against the doll body adjacent the metal insert 72 at the upper end of arm 62. This will pull the arm 62 away from intermittent engagement with contact 58 until the wand 84 is removed. Thus, the individual child has a sense of control over the functioning of the doll.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. An illuminated figure toy comprising:

means defining a body including a torso portion and a head portion with one of said torso and/or head portions having light transmitting portions thereon;

a battery powered light unit positioned in the interior of said body, and including a battery supporting frame with a battery carried therein;

a light bulb connected to a first contact member and supported in a position in engagement with the upper end of said battery;

a second contact member connected to the lower end of the frame in contact with the lower end of said battery, but being spaced from said first fixed contact member;

one of said contact members including a component which is movable relative to the other contact member and movable from a first circuit open position, wherein the movable contact component is out of engagement with the other said contact members, and a second circuit closed position, wherein the movable contact member is in engagement with the other of said contact members to close the circuit therethrough;

and a restraining member adjacent said movable contact member and being movable between a first position, wherein said restraining member holds said movable contact component in said first position, and a second position, wherein said restraining member is moved away from said first position and and permits movement of said movable contact component member to said second position to close the circuit between said contact members, said restraining member being loosely positioned in said body for gravity responsive movement between said first and second positions.

2. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein said first and second contact members are fixed against relative movement and said movable component comprises an intermediate contact member positioned between said first and second contact members.

3. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein said movable component has a magnetically attractable portion thereon for moving said movable component away from a circuit closed position responsive to a magnetic force.

4. The toy figure of claim 2 wherein said intermediate contact member is free to oscillate between said first and second contact members.

5. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein the movable restraining member is confined for travel along an inclined track and wherein said toy is configured for positioning in at least a first reclining position and a second upright position with said track being oriented so as to cause movement of said restraining member to its first and second positions when the toy figure is in its first and second positions, respectively.

6. The toy of claim 5 wherein said first and second contact members are fixed against relative movement and said movable component comprises an intermediate contact member positioned between said first and second contact members.

7. The toy figure of claim 6 wherein the movable restraining member is a ball and said track is part of a wall means defining an enclosure within which said ball, movable contact and portions of said first and second contacts are located. 

1. An illuminated figure toy comprising: means defining a body including a torso portion and a head portion with one of said torso and/or head portions having light transmitting portions thereon; a battery powered light unit positioned in the interior of said body, and including a battery supporting frame with a battery carried therein; a light bulb connected to a first contact member and supported in a position in engagement with the upper end of said battery; a second contact member connected to the lower end of the frame in contact with the lower end of said battery, but being spaced from said first fixed contact member; one of said contact members including a component which is movable relative to the other contact member and movable from a first circuit open position, wherein the movable contact component is out of engagement with the other said contact members, and a second circuit closed position, wherein the movable contact member is in engagement with the other of said contact members to close the circuit therethrough; and a restraining member adjacent said movable contact member and being movable between a first position, wherein said restraining member holds said movable contact component in said first position, and a second position, wherein said restraining member is moved away from said first position and and permits movement of said movable contact component member to said second position to close the circuit between said contact members, said restraining member being loosely positioned in said body for gravity responsive movement between said first and second positions.
 2. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein said first and second contact members are fixed against relative movement and said movable component comprises an intermediate contact member positioned between said first and second contact members.
 3. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein said movable component has a magnetically attractable portion thereon for moving said movable component away from a circuit closed position responsive to a magnetic force.
 4. The toy figure of claim 2 wherein said intermediate contact member is free to oscillate between said first and second contact members.
 5. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein the movable restraining member is confined for travel along an inclined track and wherein said toy is configured for positioning in at least a first reclining position and a second upright position with said track being oriented so as to cause movement of said restraining member to its first and second positions when the toy figure is in its first and second positions, respectively.
 6. The toy of claim 5 wherein said first and second contact members are fixed against relative movement and said movable component comprises an intermediate contact member positioned between said first and second contact members.
 7. The toy figure of claim 6 wherein the movable restraining member is a ball and said track is part of a wall means defining an enclosure within which said ball, movable contact and portions of said first and second contacts are located. 